So that was how long ago? I guess the super zoom satellite footage from movies might not be unrealistic like I thought. . .
Like the arrays we have on Earth pointing to space, but instead, arrays on space pointing to Earth.
I know there probably isn't that many KH-style satellites to do it, but would it be possible?
You could imagine a deep-infrared mission (longer wavelength, to soften the alignment requirements) launched into deep space (Jupiter+) where both the solar wind density is lower (reducing space weather perturbations) and reduced solar flux would reduce heat loads on the structure, (objects in Jupiter orbit get 3.6% as much light as in Earth orbits) making cooling easier. An interferometer design would also improve resolution. A not-widely advertised feature of the JWST is that, due to the same Rayleigh limits, its far infrared modes have dramatically lower resolution than its near infrared camera. A problem with a 6 meter mirror, less of a problem with a kilometer mirror.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/oval-offi...
Which is his right, just wanted to add context.
[1] https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/oval-offi...
A great deal of Google Map imagery over urban areas is from relatively low level aerial survey aircraft that run lines over cities in summer.
The resolution is better and stitched together often provides a better bang for the buck than satellite imagery.
That said, Trump's image may have been from a sat or from a high altitude spy plane - they'd have ballpark optics but the aircraft would be closer in and more maneuverable .. I'd personally discount whatever Trump had to say about the source and want to hear from a third party military reconnaissance expert.